A student was killed in violent protests in the Senegalese city of Saint-Louis following President Macky Sall’s decision to postpone the presidential election by several months. Clashes between security forces and protesters erupted in Senegal’s capital and other cities, marking the first widespread unrest over the delayed vote, which many fear could lead to prolonged instability.
The Ministry of Interior and Public Security stated on Saturday that it had been informed of the death of student Alpha Yero Tounkara and would investigate the incident, denying allegations that its forces were responsible for the death.
While it remained unclear if protests continued on Saturday, any further violent confrontations with security forces would heighten concerns about democratic regression.
Less than three weeks before the scheduled February 25 presidential vote, parliament voted to postpone it to December, effectively extending President Macky Sall’s mandate. This move has raised concerns about the integrity of one of the remaining democracies in coup-prone West Africa.
Having reached his constitutional limit of two terms, Sall faced opposition as the vote in parliament occurred amidst the forcible removal of opposition lawmakers from the chamber.
Following parliament’s decision, opposition lawmakers and presidential candidates filed legal challenges against the delay with the Constitutional Court, expressing dissatisfaction with the extension of Sall’s tenure.
In an attempt to placate public anger, Sall cited concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and emphasized the need to restore trust by postponing the election. However, critics continued to condemn the move as an “institutional coup,” expressing frustration with Sall’s tenure extension beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms.
